Koils-n-Kinks

And The Nominees Are.........

noreply@blogger.com (SkorpyanJ) — Mon, 1 Feb 2016 14:29:00 -0600

To my surprise, I was nominated for a Liebster Award!!! I accept, I DO ACCEPT!!! Way to go girl!!! Nice job, keep up the good work! But wait......just what is a Liebster Award? This is an award that is passed from blogger to blogger in order to help readers – like yourselves – find new blogs to follow!

I believe I'm all of the above and more. Since Koils-n-Kinks was graciously chosen for as a recipient, I must do my duty and thank Kay of Nappy Headed Black Girl.I've come across the Liebster badge of honor on some of the blogs I've perused, but never looked into it to see what it was about. This is a first for me and I feel very honored, I will display the badge with pride!! Here are the rules that I found, but there are different versions out there.

These are the rules and questions provided by Kay, who nominated me.

Here are the award rules:

Thank your nominator by linking to their blog
Answer 10 questions provided to you by the person who nominated you
Nominate 5 – 10 deserving bloggers (who have less than 1,000 followers according to Google)
Create a new list of questions for the blogger to answer

So, here we go....

1. Describe your natural hair journey in one sentence.

Boldly following my hearts desire and holding nothing back but gaining confidence, love, and rediscovery of self with no regrets.

2. What was the last place you vacationed and where is (or would you like to be) the next?

I went to Michigan to attend a family reunion, far from a vacation. I would like to go to a tropical isle somewhere in the near future........a girl can dream can't she?!

3. Why did you start blogging?

I wanted to keep an accurate "diary" of my journey to healthy, long, natural hair and provide helpful tips to others who were struggling along the way. I first started a healthy relaxed hair journey and hit a huge pitfall while wearing a protective style.

4. Name one celeb you’d love to meet in person.

Oh gosh, I'm really not into the celebrity thing, but I guess I'd like to meet Erika Badu or India Arie. They seem like down to earth, real people that I could converse with.

5. Are you where you thought you’d be 5 years ago?

Yes, because I didn't set any goals for myself educationally or professionally.

6. Amazon or eBay?

Both, I prefer online shopping and re-purposing items that have been used. #thriftygal

7. Do you feel like your hair routine is perfected or are you still learning?

Omg, definitly still learning. Right now I'm on my water only journey, and I honeslty like it the best of all.

8. What past or present TV character are you?

Maybe Vanessa, from the Cosby show, Lol!

9. What’s the last movie you saw?

Just watched the Fantastic 4 (2015) last night. Had I answered these earlier it would have been Yelling to the Sky, which I watched before I watched the Fantastic 4.

10. The world ends tomorrow morning. What do you do tonight?

Rob a bank, spend every last cent, love a stranger, hug my parents, kiss my kids goodnight and tell them I love them.

Whew! That was hard! Some other versions of the rules are out there, but I'm following the lead of my nominator.

I have 10 questions for:

What compelled you to start a blog?
Where do you see yourself in 2 years?
If you could blog full time, would you?
If you could retire right now, what would you do?
If you could only keep 5 of your possessions, what would they be?
What is a skill you'd like to learn and why?
What was your first thought when you woke up this morning?
What did you do for your last birthday?
How many text messages do you send/receive in a day?
What is your current relationship status?

Hope to read some great responses and see that you ladies paid it forward to some other bloggers.

Let's keep it rollin'.

5 Perfect Styles for Every Natural

noreply@blogger.com (SkorpyanJ) — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 13:16:00 -0500

Let's face it ladies, as naturals, I feel that we are expected to show that we are "doing something" with our hair. We ~~can't~~ can just walk around all fro-y and puffy, but that ~~would~~ mean we aren't taking the utmost care of our manes. I mean...really, who(#mefor1) would want to walk around like that? Big bushy fro's have absolute no sex appeal (I really miss mine) #beenremovinglocs4-2weeks.

These styles are nothing new to the natural world, but this is how my hair looked when I was on the water only method. I never really stopped, but I wasn't rinsing much since I was trying to let my hair loc up. One day I'll post my braidlock story. As for now, check out the shine and definition I achieved while styling without product.

Puffs N Ponies

Updo's

Like many natural women out there, I have a no fail, go-to style, but I love, Love, LOVE switching it up.

I feel beautiful and love knowing that my hair sparks a feeling in someone. Does your natural style leave you feeling some kind of way? Let me know, leave your comment below.

Water Only Washing......Beyond 30 days

noreply@blogger.com (SkorpyanJ) — Wed, 5 Aug 2015 10:22:00 -0500

After a warm/cold rinse

More than a year ago, I decided to for go using traditional shampoos and conditioners. I started whipping up my own hair products with some success, but nothing to brag about. Now I always have an assortment of butters, oils and essential oils, not to mention aloe vera, distilled water and honey. My bathroom cabinets look more like a pastry kitchen than a place to do your business! I wasn't exactly losing any hair and checking out new hair recipes was my quiet, me time.

Through mostly browsing the web I happened upon the water only method after trying the max hydration method (MHM) for about a month. Though I liked some of the results I was getting with MHM, it didn't have the simplicity that I was looking for. I was basically looking to do nothing to my hair, but I still needed to look presentable #sistagotaJOB, so I found the simplest method for WOHW from an article on BGLH. I couldn't believe I hadn't thought of it before. Not shampooing or conditioning or co-washing or anything for that matter. It couldn't get any easier than just using water, well I guess it could but I'm not that extreme. This method held my attention because at that point in my natural hair journey, I was sick of the smell of conditioner, sick of deep conditioning, desperately tired of the LOC method for sealing in moisture and just fed up with being a kitchen mixtress. I really just wanted to wash and go, which is funny because a WNG is never really a wash and go. I dove in, all the way. My hair didn't have much build up due to the max hydration method, but none the less, I clarified using Aubrey Organics J.A.Y Desert Herb shampoo, skipped a final condition and plaited my hair. Everyday I was massaging, scritching and preening to no end, even at work. Rinsing daily was fine with me and my hair was really feeling it, shoot, I was feeling myself, I felt like #Tweet-- I looked over to my left Mmm, I was lookin' so good I couldn't reject myself. Ha ha, okay.....I'm done.

An updo during my week of straightened hair

My hair was beautiful, give or take the days when it was grey from too much sebum.Those days the mixtress in me came through and I was able to hang on by using some kitchen staples like honey, acv and in the naturalista world, baby food. Hair envy is a bitch though, a big nasty one at that. I continued to look at the progress of some MHMers and it got the best of me and off the wagon I fell. Fell hard, like a face plant on concrete. I returned to the world of conditioner, gels and way too much manipulation. My hair and schedule gave me the RBF, the conditioner smell made me sick and I was always wet from dripping hair, yuck. I knew I could no longer spend hours on my hair and back to the WO method I went. Happily!

Now, don't get me wrong, this WO method is the bomb dot com, but again, I was envious of the long hair gals and found myself having secret longings for straight hair. I gave straightening a go while utilizing this method and the results were fair, but I only lasted 1 week in updo's. I did get tons of compliments but my hair didn't feel good and there was breakage galore, I was and still am chasing length and breakage does not equal length. My hair is shoulder length and even after attacking it with heat I still was not satisfied, so I'm now transitioning to locks.

For years I've heard the question "Are you going to lock your hair, what are you doing with it?" And I would sometimes get offended by the words "what are you doing with IT". I mean really, how dare someone have the nerve to ask me what I'm doing with my hair, I mean do all girls get asked that question? I doubt it, but going back to the locking aspect of the question, I'd always say "No, I can't commit to locks". Well now I'm entering the commitment. I took 7 days to install braidlocks. Now that my hair is contained in 400+ tiny braids, I am rinsing, at the least, 2 times a week and scritching and preening even less. I think locks and the WO method marry together very well because the less I do, the faster my hair will lock. Crazy thing is, 2 months in and I'm envying my OWN loose hair. I'll be going through some old pics and start missing my puff or my big hair, crazy I know. I'm still not 100% on the locks. I hope to gain the length I want to achieve and continue with the lifestyle change that implementing water only washing has started.

My braidlocks

My kitchen chemist has reared her ~~ugly~~ beautiful head and taken a stronghold. I feel myself being very green in that I'm making my own toiletries, eating healthier every month and searching for ways to become whole.I'm trying my a hand at making my very own ACV, and can't get the thought of DIY makeup out of my head. I'm dragging my family down this road with me and my mom is starting to call me the guru!

Has using the water only method changed your perspective on things?? Let me know and leave a comment!

In Case You Missed It
Is Water Only Washing on you TO DO LIST?

Is Water Only Washing on your TO DO LIST?

noreply@blogger.com (SkorpyanJ) — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 10:18:00 -0500

What have I been up to in my life? Well, golly gee whiz, thanks for asking! Like many of you, I've been just living. I'm kind of tired of that routine so I've have been making a half ass attempt at sprucing up my life. HOW, you might ask? Nothing drastic, just small changes that I'm trying to get used to ~~before~~ so that they can become staples in my life. I don't want to do something that's a total 360 from what I'm used to, I'm easing into transition. Yes, just like when I was transitioning from relaxed to natural. Wait....I didn't transition, I wore a wig for 2 weeks and said "TA HELL WIT DAT, IF THEY DON'T LIKE IT, DEN DON'T LOOK!!" Shoot, my head was itching and sweating, I couldn't take, I cut that perm off with the quickness. Plus it just wasn't me, the wig was too different, so it didn't stick. I don't want to waste time and money in something that's gonna go to the way side (where the wigs are, Ha ha).

Simplify my hair care routine

This may be a strange thing to list as a top priority, but it takes up so much of my time, time that I could be using doing other shit. Fun shit. CRAZY SHIT!! Well maybe not crazy.......but anyways, new things. So to cut my hair care routine by like 75%, I'm trying the water only hair washing method. Or maybe it's called rinsing only method. I think it also goes as the crunchy, lazy, hippie, green, cheap method. But any who that's the first chang.

The water only hair washing method consists of washing your hair with water and letting your God given sebum condition and seal your strands. That seems simple enough except, most of us wash our sebum right down the drains in our sinks and tubs. That pretty much means you have to start from scratch, unless you have been on a no poo routine. If you have been cleansing your hair with baking soda, black soap, clay, egg or something else that does not strip away your natural oil, you are half way there.

I was reading emails and came across this post from BGLH.com about this chick using water only for 30 days. It was intriguing but I never thought about doing it. Then I came across this YouTube video and was in awe of this woman's type 4 hair and how nice it was. I mean, I have been a fan of Naptural85 from day one of my natural hair journey, and even though she uses natural stuff, it was just too time consuming and I thought, I don't even like cooking why should I spend all this time making my own products? And believe me, I tried! I am still making and using her flax seed gel recipe with a tweak or two. So on May 16, 2014, I shampooed my hair one final time and embarked on a new journey.

To start this transition off right, I shampooed with Aubrey Organics J.A.Y Desert Herb, the old bottle, not this one. I don't know if the ingredients changed with the packaging because I haven't repurchased this shampoo in years. I chose this over my other shampoos because it is more natural with no sulfates and would not strip the oil that I now needed for this method. I noticed when I used this particular shampoo in the past, my hair would still feel "dirty" or waxy and not squeaky clean. Up until now I was doing more co-washing anyway and I wanted to keep my sebum that was already there. Feeling like I had a "jump" on things, I did not condition after this final wash. I then braided my hair in mini braids, which I will NEVER do again because at this point I am still removing them. It only took me 2 1/2 days to install them, which was still too much time. I started taking them down June 16th and I'm still not finished, UGHHHH over 1 week to remove a style, NEEEVVVA, NEVA AGAIN! It is recommended to put your hair in braids or twists(#notminis) during the transition period.

Because it is taking so long to unbraid my hair, I have had the chance to dig out my old boar bristle brush to aid in distributing my sebum, which is also recommended. I had not used that thing in years but I will now use it weekly following my ACV rinse during my main wash day. At the beginning I was rinsing daily to help build up my sebum and get it down my strands, now that I am mostly covered, except for maybe the last inch, I will try more styling and possibly WNG's which didn't work with my hair before. I have noticed that my hair looks dull and gray, I also have hard water which the ACV is supposed to help with, but I'm going to invest in a shower head filter.

My hair does have some sort of smell when it is wet but once it dries I only smell it if I itch my scalp then smell my fingers. EW, sounds kind of gross but I know we all do it. I have noticed that my scalp hardly ever itches, I no longer have huge scaly flakes or ANY flakes for that matter. My hair dries super fast, like in an hour or so. I can see the curls much better and can finger detangle in the shower with no problem. I even used my BBB in the shower and my hair felt great. No more digging out a bunch of products to get my hair to feel soft, I just twist in the shower and I'm done. I think I'm gonna love this!!

Do you have any tips on this method? Are you making changes to your daily life?

I JOINED BLOGLOVIN'

noreply@blogger.com (SkorpyanJ) — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 10:38:00 -0500

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Crochet of the Day

noreply@blogger.com (SkorpyanJ) — Thu, 5 Jun 2014 15:03:00 -0500

Crochet Loofah

and

Pampering Massage Soap Saver

The loofah was extremely simple to put together, but it only works okay. It really soaks up too much water. A lighter yarn would probably work better.

The soap saver was a little more challenging, but I really like it. It works rather well and I use mine daily.

Loofah courtesy:

befriendmantic.blogspot.com

Soap Saver courtesy:

www.mooglyblog.com

Crochet of the Day

noreply@blogger.com (SkorpyanJ) — Mon, 2 Jun 2014 16:13:00 -0500

Timeless Crochet Earrings

One of my first pieces of crocheted jewelry, very easy to make, stylish and really low cost.
I used yarn instead of crochet thread.

Pattern courtesy of:
Mooglyblog.com

Naturally Straight TMS - Week 4

noreply@blogger.com (SkorpyanJ) — Sat, 12 Apr 2014 17:37:00 -0500

Week 4

This week I let my daughter shampoo and conditioner her hair using supplied packets from the box. I mean really, she's 13 and at that age I always did my own hair. She managed pretty well, but used up what was left of the packets so I will need to purchase the bottles of the naturally straight line for next week. She decided to wear it straight this week so we used the blow dryer and flat iron. Again, the hair was easily manipulated with less tangles and shortened blow dry time. Straightening with the flat iron still seemed timely, but I used a lower heat setting and still had the same results. The products we used were the same as the first couple of weeks, minus the leave-in. You can find that info here and here. Her hair was wrapped that night, unfortunately she had gym the next day and did not wear a headband so she had some reversion. I used MoKnowsHair's technique for fixing sweaty gym hair which you can view here.

This is how her hair turned out the second time after RE-flat ironing, which I do not like to do. I also upped the heat setting. This lasted the rest of the week and of course, was ponied up by weeks end.

Next week, back to curly we go, hopefully there is no heat damage. Maybe I start a new page of system reviews, we'll see how it goes, I don't know if I want to switch up since I found something we like. Maybe I'll do the next brand on myself since we have different hair types.

Stay tuned for next week's review, only 2 more reviews left and it on to the next.

Beautiful Textures Texture Managability System Week 3- Did the curls return?

noreply@blogger.com (SkorpyanJ) — Mon, 24 Mar 2014 18:01:00 -0500

Now that we have entered week 4, I can give review of weeks two and three. Better late than never. You can read and view pics of the first treatment here.

WEEK 2

During the second week, we decided to leave her hair straightened. I did not take any pics during this week because her hair was in a pony tail the entire time due to sports practice. She did continue to wrap it up every night and the hair remained straight. During the day and throughout the practices she wore a headband. Even though she was sweating, the hair did not revert until close to the end of the week. Even then it was mostly the center of her crown and the edges. I believe a light flat iron would have fixed this, but we did not re-straighten at all during the first two weeks. I would say that it held up wonderfully and exceeded my expectations.

WEEK 3
Since her hair remained so straight, I was a bit concerned that her curl pattern would not come back. I shampooed her tresses twice with the anti-reversion shampoo that was in the box and proceeded to condition with the accompanying anti-reversion condition. These are the suggested maintenance products to use to keep the hair moisturized and clean without removing the temporary straightening effects. This week we decided to wear a curly style but was short on time for a wash and go so I installed some flat twists for a twist out.
Her texture did return, but it was visibly altered. Her hair was much softer/thinner feeling and the curl was a lot looser.

Her curls appeared to be type 3c maybe and lighter in density. It was definitely less tangled and easy to comb through. My generic Denman glided through with ease. Walgreens did have the shampoo and conditioner in stock, but no styling products. I went to Sally's and found these in the price range of $7-$8.

Sally's Beauty also had the deep conditioner and shine growth oil which I did not purchase. They may have had the leave-in (detangler) but I'm not sure. I plan on purchasing the other components of the system at Sally's.
After layering in the moisture butter and the curl pudding along with a few drops of the silkening oil, this is what her twists looked like and this was the result in the morning after taking them down. Her spiral were really sleek, smooth and moisturized. Styling time was cut down y more than half.
She did not like her bangs so she put it up into guess what? YES, another ponytail, which she kept in the entire week.

Stay tuned for week 4's update.

Beautiful Textures Texture Manageability Sytem- A 6 Week Review

noreply@blogger.com (SkorpyanJ) — Thu, 6 Mar 2014 11:57:00 -0600

I have been looking for a treatment similar to Kera Minerals since I used it on my daughter about a year ago. I didn't really want to get an expensive treatment, so I ventured on over to YouTube to find my answer. I watched a lot of videos and reviews for various brands like Organix, Palmers, plus I found this site with other systems. Finally, I came upon a review for Beautiful Textures, watch the video here, and was quite impressed. I always thought this was a line for children and could just SMELL the overly fragrant fruity smell associated with most products geered toward children. Plus, the packaging is a bit busy and tacky looking.

Last week I stopped at my local Walgreens for whatever it was, I can't recall, but as usual, I took a stroll down the hair product aisle and this caught my attention.

The exact product I was interested in on sale for HALF OFF!!! I snatched up 2, one for me and one for my daughter. I was especially excited because the box featured a type 4 head of hair on the box. I quickly read it over and was delighted due to the promise of being able to flip back and forth between natural and straightened hair with ease and no chemical use. It's also supposed to last 4-6 weeks with the use of the same brand shampoo and stylers.

WEEK ONE

freshly washed hair

I first used this on my daughter since my hair was in twists and I didn't want to waste a protective style. Her hair was on its last day of a wash n go, so it was a no brainer to try her first.
Her dirty hair consisted of leave-in, oils, and gel. It was our first try doing a wash n go on her so I'm pretty excited to try it again with this system in her hair. The shampoo is a clarifying one and I lathered up and rinsed her hair 3 times each. It's clear and smells good, kind of just a clean smell with a hint of fruity, not bad at all.

After rinsing, her hair was towel dried using the blotting

After 20 minutes with leave-in

method so not add more tangles. Applying the leave-in is simple, shake the bottle, add to your hand, apply to hair.I initially used the gloves provided, but they were too big and loose. I didn't feel like I was getting it on the hair properly so I removed them. When I rinsed my hands after using the potion, they felt really slick and smooth, but no irritation. I did not like the smell of the leave-in. At first whiff it smelled pleasant, but then quickly turned into a B.O. type smell, it was weird.
Per the directions she sat around for another 20 minutes letting it air dry some before the blow out, but we made 30 instead. Her hair felt extremely soft.

Blown dry

The directions state not to over saturate the hair, I still ended up over doing it because I used the whole bottle. This became evident after blow drying, the hair definitely felt waxy and filmy. I wish they would have included their flat iron silkening spray (I think that's the name)inside the box for styling afterward.

The blow dry and flat iron still seemed to take

Flat ironed

forever, maybe because we took and extra 10 minutes and it got TOO dry. The initial flat iron still took long, but I did 2-3 passes at the root and used the chase method for the ends. I only did one pass on the ends and they were really straight. My flat iron does not have exact temperatures so I put it at number 15. According to the flat iron manual, a setting of 15-20 is for medium type hair. I normally put it at setting 25 when I do her hair, so I guess the TM system did make a difference.

So far I am pleased with this product and will update once we shampoo and use the other associated products. Of course I have to find them first!

Have you used this product and what are your thoughts?

Beanie Magic-5 INGENIOUS Way to Wear a Beanie

noreply@blogger.com (SkorpyanJ) — Tue, 4 Feb 2014 14:23:00 -0600

Bad hair day? Conditioning on the go? Hair is a tangled, matted mess? Hair just won't do what the hell it's being told to do? Plastic cap on, but need to run to the store? Time to take down those plaits/twists but gotta get to work? Too tired to fuss with hair? Wash n'Go fail? No reason at all? Because you thought it was cute? Aunt Jemima/Ms. Ceely protective style? Taking down a protective style?

Yes, all of these have applied to me as reasons to put on my beanie. It can rescue me from many situations and if I just happen to show up at work with it on, you best not judge me or ask me why I'm wearing a hat inside? This IS my hairstyle for the day!!

Of course by now, coworkers know how much work my hair can be and have become accustomed to my ever changing hair or coverup.

I have re-purposed a hat by lining the inside with GLAD Press n' Seal, and this is what I use for deep conditioning instead of the grocery bags. I feel like it keeps out air and keeps in the warmth from my body much better.

My deep conditioning Beanie

I especially like the slouchy beanies for covering my hair when it is big and fro'ed out. Just slap on some makeup and earrings and I'm out the door.

I've gotten to the point that store bought are just too expensive or not my taste, so I have started crocheting my own. I can never find any that are lined and I don't always want to tie on that satin scarf and secure with bobbie pins. I just want to slap it on and GO! I must say, besides hair, it has become my new hobby and it can still relate to hair.
When feeling lazy, too sleepy, too BUSY, beanie you are my magic hairstyle.

The short list of ways to sport your favorite Beanie hat:

1. As a hat, DUH! Of course that was going to be #1!!
2. For on the go conditioning/deep conditioning-apply your fav conditioner, cover with a plastic cap/bag and cover with your beanie whether you leave the house or not.
3. Substitute sleeping bonnet
4. To cover up your hideous head scarf/wrap
5. As a hairstyle, with bangs, some cute earrings and makeup

What does your beanie do for you?

Bun and Bang (Faux Real!!)

noreply@blogger.com (SkorpyanJ) — Mon, 25 Nov 2013 16:34:00 -0600

This is not me, but her hair just gave me life

Protective styling, I do it and I don't. I hate it and I love it. I love the hands off idea, I love the idea of potential growth(length), but I despise the process. Well, I may have found an answer to my problem. A faux bun and bang. I found it on YouTube here and here, and fell in love with the look, but most importantly, the EASE of completion. I immediately subscribed to both channels after watching their vids.

Gonna give it a try and hope it looks BANGING!! I don't even have to run out and buy any hair because I'm going green baby!! Reduce, reuse, recycle the marley twist hair that I'm currently rockin'!!

I planned to use this hair for my faux bang as well as for my bun, it was a total fail

Related Posts

Marley and Me

noreply@blogger.com (SkorpyanJ) — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 16:05:00 -0600

For my 4th nappiversary, I decided that my fingers needed a break, so I spent days on end installing some Marley twists. Ass-backward, yes, this I know. I watched a couple of.YouTube tutorials, then got to work on my head. I had a splitting migraine so I had to chop up the first couple of days. Then I had the brilliant idea to intall them shoulder length so it would look more natural. Bad idea, I had to redo about 30 twists. That is where the extra time came in. I planned to leave these in for 3 months, but at this point, it's been 5 weeks and I'm already itching to take them out. I'm already planning my style after I remove these, a faux bun.

I used marley hair, can't remember the brand, some kind of olive oil leave-in for the install. I shampooed weekly with watered down cantu shampoo and conditioner and moisturized (sometimes)with watered down hawaiian silky 14 n 1. I will deep condition with a doctored up Suave Almond and Shea butter conditioner before removing my Marleys.

Install

All Done

Retwisted the front 2 rows 5 wks later

5 wks=1 inch

Off Topic Madness-BV Again

noreply@blogger.com (SkorpyanJ) — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 10:34:00 -0600

Off the topic-

BV,again.

Why in world does a woman have to suffer from this?? Is it because she's promiscuous? A skank,or has had multiple partners, or a minaj #NICKI or likes it rough? Well...yes, that COULD be her problem, or maybe not. Maybe her body is too alkaline, or susceptible to candida. Is she vitamin deficient, is she taking antibiotics, or does she just not have a clue that she should be wiping from FRONT to BACK? An AHA moment--thanks Oprah!!

Even though we know the cause of said problem, can it be prevented?I would say no, as it is a result of upset of a womans normal vaginal flora...you know, the bacteria lives inside you 24/7 and keeps you healthy. Of course you knew that, right? Lactobacillus spp. lives right there inside keeping you nice and normal by producing lactic acid all day, everyday. Lactic acid kills off the ish that don't belong there. Read more about BV here. Is it possible to increase the lactic acid production in your body by changing your diet?

There are many homemade remedies, so many that I will not bother listing any sites. These may or may not work for you, but when your good coochie bacteria is replaced with bad coochie bacteria that makes your va jay jay blow bubbles at you, and makes you smell like fish you need to do two things immediately: see your MD/PA/NP or whoever and get a yourself a bottle of Fem-Dophilus. I'm in no way being paid to promote this company, wish I was, but hey, what works works.

Stuffing yourself full of plain yogurt on a tamp, douching(HUGE NO NO), stuffing garlic and what not up the wazoo will not cure you. Make sure you problem is bacterial vaginosis and not an STD. You will most likely be prescribed a vaginal gel or pill or both which is great for getting rid of the bad stuff. I'm going to let you in on little secret though............Sshhh listen closely and make SURE you tell EVERYONE. You will become reinfected again and again and again. Maybe not right away, but it will happen again. That's were Fem-Dophilus comes into the widescreen view. Fem-Dophilus will help your body recolonize with the lactobacillus strain that protect your vagina. Read more on this product.
Instead of buying tea tree oil, vinegar with "the Mother", garlic cloves wrapped in gauze, greek yogurt and tampons, etc to put in your body, put it in your body the right way and just EAT IT. Or put it on your head(hair) like I do.

Blue Magic??

noreply@blogger.com (SkorpyanJ) — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 13:04:00 -0600

Thinking of revisiting this grease of "yesteryear"? The old school magic? I did, and it wasn't too bad. Mom used this ish for any and everything that had to do with hair. Pressing, greasing the scalp, smoothing down those curls, plaiting, twists and pony tails. I used the green Blue Magic for this twist out. What's the difference between the green and blue you ask? Your guess is as good as mine!! I found out there are like, 8 different formulations, aloe, argan, coconut, castor oil, etc. IF it didn't contain petroleum, I might be more apt to use it. Maybe I'll try it this winter after a deep conditioning, moisturizing session. I'll just have to make sure to use a REAL shampoo, you know the squeaky clean kind.

My results:

Cleopatra's Hair Secret

noreply@blogger.com (SkorpyanJ) — Tue, 29 May 2012 13:13:00 -0500

Image via Wikipedia

Cleopatra is a natural hair relaxer for black frizzy, curly, etc. Hair, or for one who wants her hair black and straightened. It is good for all hairs shapes: curly, frizzy, frizzly, frizzled, frizzed, kinky , Black Americans, Africans, voluminous or pompous hair.

The company DAN DE COSMETICS inherited Cleopatra's secret. The natural formula for straight, smooth, shiny, and fascinating hair by its beauty. The product which has been developed by DAN DE COSMETICS Ltd. Company and called "Cleopatra", is made out a plants and minerals powder, to them there is to add liquid alcohol. This is a 100% natural product; compared among the similar products, available on the market, which are synthetic and alkaline. The prepartion can be applied directly to the roots of the hair. It repairs damaged hair (bleaching, coloring and any chemical agents aplied to the hair). The straightening is permanent and the renewal is done to the roots, because of hair growth.

Advantages: Made of natural ingredients (against allergies), it is permanent, you have to renew on the roots only. Cleopatra is a 100% natural hair straightening formula.

•Straightening your hair right out-the-shower permanently- with no need for blow-drying or ironing.

•Made of 100% plants and mineral powder- This formula is 100% natural. Other products contain chemicals and other synthetic and alkaline product that cause irreversible damage to the hair.

•Applicable to All hair types- regardless of the color, length, level of curl or frizz, history of chemical usage or previous hair straightening methods used on hair.

•Works on highlighted and bleached hair- Most of the other products in the market are only recommended for non-bleached, non-highlighted hair.

•Helps protect and nourish your hair - It makes dry hair smoother after the first treatment, brilliant and strengthened at its roots, rehabilitating it and giving it the full, healthy shiny look you always wanted
•Gives you a permanent black straight hair- This product is replacing 2 harmful chemical procedures: it permanently straightens the hair and colors it with a rich and beautiful black color. Yes! absolutely all hair types can turn straight, shiny, healthy and magically black!
Note: the preparation is good only for black hair or for customers who want to have black hair.

More Products on this line: Natural black dye, Cleopatra Oil, Cleopatra Forte.

Cons

$99.99
Permanent
Only availiable in a black color
Not available in store

YouTube Queens - Naptural85 and Kimmaytube Combined

noreply@blogger.com (SkorpyanJ) — Fri, 25 May 2012 11:07:00 -0500

Okay, I know I've been taking a break from this blogging thing, it's sooooo easy to "forget" about it. It in no way means that I have stopped experimenting with new methods of hair care. I am so in love with Naptural85, she is my ultimate hair inspiration. I love how simple her routine is and how easy she makes it look, because I have found it to be a lot harder to find what works well for my hair. If I can get the moisturizing thing in control, I feel like we could be hair twins!! I have almost kicked the product junkiness. One thing I have learned recently is that I cannot, I repeat cannot do the Wash and Go. As much as I would love to, my ends say NO, NO, NO. My recent trials with it has left me with weathered ends that badly need trimming. So sad.
Everyone knows about Kimmaytube and her success. I originally started off watching her, but everyone knows about Kimmaytube. Her channel can get kind of long winded, I like short, simple and sweet. The one item everyone raves about is her leave-in. The recipe is all over the internet so I will not bother reposting here. I tried it, and it works well in conjunction with the yogurt conditioner. My twist out was defined and soft and it lasted the whole week. My problem is consistency, I have trouble sticking to things. I really need to get a routine, I am losing length with these darned, crappy ends. They are my set back. I was thinking of getting my hair braided up for the summer, but I think I will try to stick with this for a month and get my hair done in July. That sounds like a plan.
Here's what I used and my results of the two methods. Enjoy!

Naptural85's Greek yogurt deep conditioning

Kimmaytube's Leave-In

Fresh clean hair

After using the two methods

Twist-out results

Have you tried these recipes and what were results and comments?

How to #FAIL with Lace Fronts

noreply@blogger.com (SkorpyanJ) — Mon, 9 Jan 2012 16:14:00 -0600

After spending hours washing, drying, straightening, and braiding, I put my wig on and was totally unsatisfied. I mean, I wasted an entire morning trying to apply it and I failed miserably. I didn't even take a picture, that's how unhappy I was. I have worn this wig in the past, when my hair was much easier to put under a wig cap. That picture could not be located. I was in a bikini anyway!! I guess it's time to buy a new one, this one was a bit too small anyway.

THIS IS MY WIG

PURCHASED FROM HAIRSISTERS.COM

HAIR TIDY FOR WIG APPLICATION, I GUESS I LEFT TOO MUCH HAIR OUT

After much frustration with the wig, I decided I had enough hair and did not need to hide it underneath a wig. I almost looked exactly like my real hair anyway.

LACE FRONT I BOUGHT FOR MY BIG CHOP, THIS LASTED 2 WEEKS BEFORE I DECIDED I DIDN'T NEED THIS EITHER

HOMEMADE WIG, THIS WAS MY FAVE ONE AND IT FIT PERFECTLY AND COST LIKE $10 AND LASTED A LONG TIME

Kera Minerals Review-Pics Only

noreply@blogger.com (SkorpyanJ) — Mon, 9 Jan 2012 16:07:00 -0600

This is the second time usin Silk Elements Kera Minerals treatment on my daughters hair. Loved it even more this time!! I had to read up on blow drying and flat ironing tips!!

WET:

DRY:

Kera Minerals Review

noreply@blogger.com (SkorpyanJ) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 13:53:00 -0600

Are you looking for a natural relaxer? Well, this may or may not be the product for you. First off, it is not all natural. Secondly, it does contain chemicals. Third point, which is the bonus(I think), it does not relax you hair.

The Pros
You can apply to the entire hair shaft every 6-8 weeks, not just new growth
You don't need gloves
It won't burn your scalp
Use on natural or processed hair
Can wear hair "curly or straight"

The Cons
Contains sodium sulphite (can cause dermatologic reactions)
Stinks (my kitchen smelled like a salon)
Costs about $30 (bought mine on sale $25)
Leaves a filmy feeling on hands (temporary)
Needs high heat to straighten nicely

I bought Kera Minerals by Silk Elements at Sally's Beauty Supply after hearing rave reviews from a co-worker. I used it on my daughter, unfortunately I heard about it a month after I tex-laxed my daughters all natural tresses. You will need to purchase the shampoo, deep conditioner and leave-in seperatly for future washings. The additional products also contain "Sericin", which helps to keep the hair silky and smooth through future washings.

Koils-n-Kinks: Herbal Tame-3rd Times a Charm

noreply@blogger.com (SkorpyanJ) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:21:00 -0600

Koils-n-Kinks: Herbal Tame-3rd Times a Charm

Herbal Tame-3rd Times a Charm

noreply@blogger.com (SkorpyanJ) — Mon, 5 Dec 2011 13:20:00 -0600

photo courtesy of GoldMedalHair.com

I decided to use my last packet of Power Gro Herbal Tame over the weekend. This time, I did not have the conditioner they suggest you use because I used it during my second attempt, so I just added warm water and Africa's Best Ultimate Herbal Oil. Maybe I should have used apple cider vinegar(ACV) instead? Adding ACV to henna is supposed to help with clarifying and acidity, so that the product takes better to the hair shaft. Maybe next time!!

I applied little scoops of the mixture to my 2 week old, freshly washed twists, this used less than 1/4 of the mix. Since I had so much left over, I have decided to do it weekly to see if my hair becomes more manageable when it's "out". I then washed out the mix, conditioned, applied Neutrogena Triple Moisture Silk leave-in, sealed with my shea butter and followed with ECO Styler clear gel. The shrinkage was ridiculous the next day, but what can you do?

Freshly washed, look at those coils!!

Shrinkage is a B@tch!!

I Tried It--Oil Cleansing Method

noreply@blogger.com (SkorpyanJ) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 12:58:00 -0600

Image via Wikipedia

I am an adult. I am an adult with ACNE. I need to join support group for adults with acne. I have oily skin, and since becoming a natural, I feel I am having more breakouts than ever, well since puberty anyway. I have tried ProActiv, OTC cleansers, AVON, Mary Kay and now I'm trying the "oil cleansing method".

The Oil Cleansing Method (OCM), involves using oils and steam to cleanse your face, Castor Oil, being the most important ingredient. My current recipe consists of 30% castor oil, 50% olive oil, and 20% hazelnut oil.
My next batch will have more hazelnut oil due to its astringent and toning properties. You can choose any natural cold pressed oil to mix with the castor oil. OCM can be used for all skin types, but you have to adjust the amount of castor oil because it can be drying. So for normal skin use 20% castor oil, for dry skin 10% will do just fine.

When making my concoction I use a sterile 10ml syringe, so I am only making 10ml at a time so as not to waste if it's not working out for me. So far, my face is less oily, and the pimples are peeking through less often. I am going to continue this for a while longer, now to find out how to use it on my back!!

Check out the links below for further reading.

Curly Like Me for 4C

noreply@blogger.com (SkorpyanJ) — Fri, 4 Nov 2011 10:45:00 -0500

I am trying a new method for curly hair y'all. I don't know how I will like it because so far, it is not so good!! I checked out this book called "Curly Like Me" by Teri LaFlesh. She shares her life/hair story in the book, throws in some pics, and lastly, gives instruction for shampooing, conditioning, and styling curly hair.

Pros

Easy to read

Instructional pictures

Ingredient breakdowns

List cheap products

Tool list

Simple approach

Cons

Repetitive

Not for kinky hair

Styles for long hair

Week 1

Used TresEmme Moisture Rich condtioner as my leave-in/styler. Did not like the white residue after hair dried, however, I did like the way my hair felt and looked during the drying process. Not really patient enough to "doodle" my hair and I could use less conditioner next time.

I don't feel this method is for me. It required a lot of product, a lot of time in the shower and a lot of manipulation. This is obviously a method for looser curled girls, I mean, look at the cover of her book, that alone should have made me change my mind. I also have low po hair and should have known all that conditioner I had to use would not soak in. I have type 4 hair and don't have the time to doodle or shingle my hair, twists are my best friend. It also took my hair a long time to dry and 2nd day hair is impossible for me. On to the next........

Have you tried this method? What are your thoughts??

Second Naptural Anniversary

noreply@blogger.com (SkorpyanJ) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 20:09:00 -0500

On Oct. 2, 2011, my 2 year anniversary came and went. I didn't take pictures or measure length because my hair was in mini-twists. About a week and half later I removed them and did a deep conditioning using Naptural85's Greek yogurt deep conditioner recipe. I liked it alot. It made my hair feel smooth and frizz free, but I did it on dirty hair. Since I had to do major detangling I thought I would trim my ends, which they desperately needed. Too many fairy knots and splits to be considered as retained length, so I said "BYE BYE BYE"!!

After removing the wrecked ends, my strands measured 8.5 inches give or take 1/8 inch. That really depressed me, well not so much, but I did lose half an inch since June. It made realize that I really needed to take care of my ends better, so my new mission is "Hide my Ends till Feb". I have no clue how I will achieve this.

For the style below, I shampooed with NTM, then used Naptural's conditioner, then moisture/sealed with EVOO, flat twisted and bantu knotted the ends. Again, my hair felt soft, smooth and frizz free.

Koils-n-Kinks

And The Nominees Are.........

5 Perfect Styles for Every Natural

Water Only Washing......Beyond 30 days

Is Water Only Washing on your TO DO LIST?

Simplify my hair care routine

I JOINED BLOGLOVIN'

Crochet of the Day

Crochet of the Day

Naturally Straight TMS - Week 4

Beautiful Textures Texture Managability System Week 3- Did the curls return?

Beautiful Textures Texture Manageability Sytem- A 6 Week Review

Beanie Magic-5 INGENIOUS Way to Wear a Beanie

Bun and Bang (Faux Real!!)

Marley and Me

Off Topic Madness-BV Again

Blue Magic??

Cleopatra's Hair Secret

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